For many of us, motorcycling is so much more than just a means of getting around. Heck, it’s so much more than just a hobby or pastime, either. For me and for many others I’m sure, motorcycling is a passion and a lifestyle—perhaps even a religion.
I tend to liken it to something like being a Jedi (or a Sith Lord, depending on which side you're on). And indeed, as motorcyclists, we develop otherworldly senses that enable us to do stuff on our bikes that, quite frankly, humans weren’t designed to do. We see riders who have mastered their craft capable of doing things that seem to defy the laws of physics. In reality, master riders are able to do what they do thanks to years of practice on all sorts of bikes.
And even the best, most skilled riders in the world had to start somewhere, —usually with something small. And at no other time in history have small bikes been as good as they are now. Clearly, some manufacturers know that there’s a growing demand for small- to mid-displacement bikes, and they’re eager to capitalize on this.
One such brand is Italian manufacturer Fantic, who just pulled the covers off the Imola 125 and 500 at EICMA. This duo of little sportbikes is the brand’s first foray into the world of fully faired machines and was launched alongside the sleek Stealth 125 and 500 naked streetfighters. And just like the crop of small and middleweight sportbikes currently on the market, I can’t help but feel that the new Imola sportbike could very well be a Padawan superbike addict’s dream come true.
Now, the Fantic Imola sportbikes aren’t exactly brand-new concepts. They first debuted back in EICMA 2023, but back then, they were exactly that: concepts. But this time around, the Imola 125 and 500 are very much a reality, and are targeted towards riders looking for something different—a razor-sharp sportbike with the tractability and approachability of a single-cylinder engine.
In its 125cc version, the Imola is ideal for beginners and first-timers as it falls within the A1 license segment with just 15 horsepower on tap. Meanwhile, the 500cc version pumps out “close to the A2 license limit,” that’s to say, around 47 horsepower, and revs all the way up to 10,000 rpm.
If we look at this thing among its would-be rivals, there are a few things that’ll really make it stand out. For starters, it’s the engine. Across the entire crop of mid-displacement sportbikes, it’s only the Imola 500 and KTM RC 390 that get punchy single-cylinder engines. In terms of styling, I’d even go as far as saying that the Imola is the most race-ready machine. I mean, just look at those committed ergonomics, streamlined fairings, and under-seat exhaust systems.
Fantic has long been a brand associated with off-road and enduro bikes, and now, with the launch of the Imola sportbikes and Stealth naked streetfighters, it’s clear it wants to branch out into the sporty street segment. At the moment, it seems that these bikes were designed to meet European licensing regulations. But I sure hope these things make their way to other markets, too.
Source: EICMA
